The NHL fined Florida Panthers center Anton Lundell and Tampa Bay Lightning forward Scott Sabourin for their actions during Saturday’s penalty-filled game between the division rivals, according to Associated Press reports.
Lundell received a $5,000 fine for high-sticking Tampa Bay’s Jake Guentzel late in the second period. Sabourin was fined $2,018.23 for slashing Florida defenseman Niko Mikkola early in the third period.
Both fines represent the maximum amounts allowed under the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
The money goes directly to the league’s emergency assistance fund for players.
Saturday’s contest produced one of the most penalty-heavy games in recent NHL history. The teams combined for 45 penalties — 26 by Tampa Bay and 19 by Florida.
No regular season game has featured more penalties since February 11, 2011, when the New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins combined for 65 infractions.
Tampa Bay’s 26 penalties set a franchise record for regular season play. Florida’s 19 penalties tied for fourth-most in club history during regular season action.
The teams racked up 136 penalty minutes total, making it the second-highest total in the NHL this season. Edmonton and Calgary combined for 154 penalty minutes in their Tuesday matchup.
Tampa Bay won the game 4-2 despite the penalty parade.
“Rivalry games, they’re intense hockey,”
**Guentzel** said after the game.
This marks the second time this season that Sabourin has lost money following a Lightning-Panthers matchup. He forfeited $16,145.84 in salary after receiving a four-game suspension for his role in an October preseason penalty-fest between the clubs.
That preseason game saw the teams combine for 65 penalties — 36 by Tampa Bay and 29 by Florida — while accumulating 322 penalty minutes.
